U.S. patent number 7,661,604 [Application Number 11/723,047] was granted by the patent office on 2010-02-16 for system and method for controlled dosing and dispensing of liquid material.
Invention is credited to Mark T. MacLean-Blevins.
United States Patent |
7,661,604 |
MacLean-Blevins |
February 16, 2010 |
System and method for controlled dosing and dispensing of liquid
material
Abstract
A system and method are provided for selectively dosing and
dispensing a predetermined liquid material in and from a
pre-dispensing measuring sight glass container vessel, wherein a
housing is disposed to receive a pressurized fluid stream, to
provide an intermediate measurement and storage vessel for the
liquid material and to provide a selectively operable valve
assembly that is disposed in a flow path defined in the housing.
The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate
portion extending therebetween, which is formed with an admission
port for admitting the predetermined liquid material. The valve
assembly is disposed between the housing's inlet and outlet, and
may be selectively operated to fill the sight glass container from
the source container; or, to dispense the liquid material from the
sight glass container; or, to clean the sight glass container; or,
to just provide a flow of the pressurized fluid without any liquid
material. At no selection or operating condition can liquid
material from the source container be dispensed without first being
measured into the sight glass container.
Inventors: |
MacLean-Blevins; Mark T.
(Westminster, MD) |
Family
ID: |
41665726 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/723,047 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60782537 |
Mar 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/10; 239/74;
239/68; 239/525; 239/318; 239/310; 222/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
7/2478 (20130101); B05B 7/2443 (20130101); B05B
1/3026 (20130101); B05B 12/081 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62C
5/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;239/67,68,74,310,318,525 ;222/566 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Dinh Q
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
This Application is based on U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/782,537, filed 16 Mar. 2006.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for accurate dosing and dispensing of a predetermined
liquid material, comprising: a housing for receiving a pressurized
fluid stream, the housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an
intermediate portion extending therebetween and defining an
admission port for admitting the predetermined liquid material; a
measuring container operably coupled to the housing for segregating
from a source a preselected portion of the liquid material to be
dispensed, the measuring container including a containment vessel
having at least a partially transparent sight glass portion; a
selectively operable valve assembly disposed in a flow path defined
through the housing, the valve assembly including: a flow control
valve selectively operable to alternatively permit or stop a flow
of the pressurized fluid through the housing, and a function
selection valve operable to selectively set one of a plurality of
functional configurations for guiding the liquid material; and, a
holding container operably coupled to the function selection valve,
for storage of the predetermined liquid material, the holding
container being selectively disposed in open communication with the
measuring container and the flow of pressurized fluid responsive to
the function selection valve; wherein the measuring container in a
first of the functional configurations is disposed in open
communication with the flow of pressurized fluid through the
housing, and in a second of the functional configurations is
isolated therefrom.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the function selection
valve defines a vacuum inducing passage, the flow of pressurized
fluid being established therethrough.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the function selection
valve includes: a fluid housing having the vacuum inducing passage
formed therethrough; and, a valve plate displaceably coupled to the
fluid housing, the valve plate being formed with a plurality of
through openings selectively disposed for open communication with
the vacuum inducing passage responsive to valve plate displacement
relative to the fluid housing.
4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the vacuum inducing
passage is formed by a Venturi tube portion, the Venturi tube
portion including first and second outer sections respectively
converging to an intermediate Venturi throat section.
5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the fluid housing
includes a transverse cylindrical portion coaxially receiving the
Venturi tube portion, a plurality of partitions extending radially
between an outer surface of the Venturi tube portion and an inner
surface of the transverse cylindrical portion to define a plurality
of annular chambers therebetween, the annular chambers being
selectively disposed in open communication with the vacuum inducing
passage responsive to displacement of the valve plate relative to
the fluid housing.
6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the Venturi tube
portion includes a through port formed in the outer surface at the
Venturi throat.
7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the functional
configurations selectable by the function selection valve include:
clean, rinse, fill and dispense configurations, wherein: in the
clean configuration, the measuring container being in open
communication with the flow of pressurized fluid for aspirated
admission of a portion of the pressurized fluid therein, the
holding container remaining isolated from the flow of pressurized
fluid; in the rinse configuration, both the holding container and
the measuring container being isolated from the flow of pressurized
fluid; in the fill configuration, the measuring container being in
open communication with both the holding container and the flow of
pressurized fluid for inducing aspirated flow of the liquid
material from the holding container to the measuring container;
and, in the dispense configuration, the measuring container being
in open communication with the flow of pressurized fluid for
inducing aspirated expulsion of the liquid material therefrom into
the flow of pressurized fluid, the holding container remaining
isolated from the flow of pressurized fluid.
8. A method for selectively and accurately dosing and dispensing a
predetermined liquid material, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a first source for the predetermined liquid material
and a second source for a pressurized fluid stream; attaching to
the first and second sources a housing for receiving the
pressurized fluid stream, the housing having an admission port and
flow path for selectively admitting and guiding the predetermined
liquid material therethrough; establishing a containment vessel
having at least a partially transparent sight glass portion;
segregating from the first source and holding in the containment
vessel a preselected portion of the liquid material to be dispensed
responsive to selective control of at least one of the pressurized
fluid stream passage through the housing and selective
configuration of a function selection valve assembly disposed in
the flow path of the housing for selecting at least one of a
plurality of operational configurations, wherein the containment
vessel in a first of the operational configurations is disposed in
open communication with the flow of pressurized fluid through the
housing, and in a second of the operational configurations is
isolated therefrom; storing the predetermined liquid material in a
holding container operably coupled to the function selection valve
assembly, the function selection valve assembly being selectively
adjusted to selectively set the holding container in open
communication with the containment vessel and the flow of
pressurized fluid; and, mixing the segregated portion of liquid
material with the fluid stream to form a mixture for release onto a
predetermined area of a surface to be treated.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the flow of
pressurized fluid is established through a vacuum inducing passage
defined by the function selection valve assembly.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the function
selection valve assembly is established to include: a fluid housing
having the vacuum inducing passage formed therethrough; and, a
valve plate displaceably coupled to the fluid housing, the valve
plate being formed with a plurality of through openings; whereby
the valve plate is selectively displaced relative to the fluid
housing for positioning selected ones of the through openings for
open communication with the vacuum inducing passage, a vacuum
induced flow being thereby generated through the selected ones of
the through openings.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the flow of
pressurized fluid through the vacuum inducing passage generates a
sub-atmospheric pressure condition by a Venturi tube effect, the
sub-atmospheric pressure condition being generated at a Venturi
throat section defined intermediately between converging outer
sections.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the vacuum inducing
passage is formed by coaxial insert of a Venturi tube portion
within a transverse cylindrical portion defined by the fluid
housing, a plurality of annular chambers being defined between an
outer surface of the Venturi tube portion and an inner surface of
the transverse cylindrical portion by establishing partitions to
extend radially therebetween, the annular chambers being
selectively disposed in open communication with the vacuum inducing
passage responsive to displacement of the valve plate relative to
the fluid housing.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein a through port is
established in the outer surface of the Venturi tube portion for
access to the Venturi throat section.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the operational
configurations selectable by corresponding adjustment of the
function selection valve assembly include: clean, rinse, fill and
dispense configurations, wherein: in the clean configuration, the
containment vessel is disposed in open communication with the flow
of pressurized fluid for aspirated admission of a portion of the
pressurized fluid therein, the holding container remaining isolated
from the flow of pressurized fluid; in the rinse configuration,
both the holding container and the containment vessel are isolated
from the flow of pressurized fluid; in the fill configuration, the
containment vessel is disposed in open communication with both the
holding container and the flow of pressurized fluid, whereby
aspirated flow of the liquid material from the holding container to
the containment vessel is induced; and in the dispense
configuration, the containment vessel is disposed in open
communication with the flow of pressurized fluid, whereby aspirated
expulsion of the liquid material from the containment vessel into
the flow of pressurized fluid is induced, the holding container
remaining isolated from the flow of pressurized fluid.
15. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the sight glass
portion of the containment vessel includes indicia for visually
correlating the segregated portion of the liquid material to the
predetermined area of the surface to be treated therewith, whereby
sufficient treatment of the predetermined area with proper dosage
of the liquid material may be visually confirmed by the user.
16. A system for accurate dosing and dispensing of a predetermined
liquid material, comprising: a housing for receiving a pressurized
fluid stream, the housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an
intermediate portion extending therebetween and defining an
admission port for admitting the predetermined liquid material; a
measuring container operably coupled to the housing for segregating
from a source a preselected portion of the liquid material to be
dispensed, the measuring container including a containment vessel
having at least a partially transparent sight glass portion; and, a
selectively operable valve assembly disposed in a flow path defined
through the housing, the valve assembly including: a flow control
valve selectively operable to alternatively permit or stop a flow
of the pressurized fluid through the housing, and a function
selection valve operable to selectively set one of a plurality of
functional configurations for guiding the liquid material; wherein
the measuring container in a first of the functional configurations
is disposed in open communication with the flow of pressurized
fluid through the housing, and in a second of the functional
configurations is isolated therefrom; wherein the flow control
valve comprises a rotatable drum element displaceably coupled to
the housing, the rotatable drum element including a peripheral
surface defining against an inner wall surface of the housing a
path for the pressurized fluid to the housing inlet, the peripheral
surface having a plurality of grooves each formed with a
predetermined cross-sectional area, whereby a flow rate for the
pressurized fluid is selectively set.
17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the rotatable drum
element includes a resilient face seal member offset from the
grooves, the face seal member sealing the inlet when aligned
therewith.
18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the grooves are
disposed within a pair of laterally offset o-ring seals captured
between the rotatable drum element and the inner wall surface of
the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to the controlled
dosing and accuracy in dispensing of liquid materials. More
specifically, it is directed to the proper dosing and accuracy in
the distribution or application rate of the liquid materials onto
surfaces to be treated. The present invention is directed,
moreover, to a system and method by which proper dosing and
dispensing is effected in a manner that allows feedback to the user
relative to the intended application rate of the liquid
material.
Dispensing control devices of the type used with a pressurized
stream of fluid, such as water provided through a conventional
garden hose, pump-up tank sprayer or other delivery means, are
widely used in many applications. One example is a spray nozzle
attachment for a garden hose which serves also as a dispensing
assembly and capping means for a container of fertilizer, weed/pest
control, or other highly concentrated lawn or garden treating
chemical. Another example of the many applications is a sprayer
attachment which controls the sprayed dispensing of liquid material
from an air pump-type container.
Each of these dispensing applications and indeed each different
liquid material to be diluted and dispensed will require a specific
dilution ratio and will also require a specific application rate.
That is, the amount of diluted liquid material (at the proper
dilution ratio) to be delivered to some area of the surface to be
treated. In most instances, the end user is given instruction to
mix the liquid material at a rate of xx ounces per gallon of water
and then apply yy gallons of water per zz square feet of surface to
be treated--for example mix 1.5 ounces of a liquid material to 3
gallons of water and apply this at a rate of 10 gallons per 100
square feet of lawn. For the average user, this is quite
complicated to understand and typically they will overdose to be
sure they do the job well. However, many of the concentrated liquid
materials contain toxins, that when used in excess provide no
additional benefit, but are prone to runoff and to percolate into
the ground, possibly contaminating wells or water supplies. In the
case of the hose-end sprayer apparatus connected to the container
of concentrated liquid material, the user needs to do far less math
to accomplish the task as the dilution rate is predetermined by the
inner fluidic arrangement in the sprayer head. However, the user is
still instructed to apply some quantity of diluted liquid material
to some quantity of area to be treated. Again, the user is left
without any means to know exactly how much of the substance has
been utilized as the operation progresses and hence the user tends
to over-apply the product. Most users simply keep spraying the
diluted liquid material until the container is emptied--thinking
more is better.
There exists, therefore, a need for an approach to dispensing a
liquid material which provides the user an easy method for applying
the correct volume of liquid material to an easy to estimate
quantity of area to be treated. In addition, there exists a need
for an apparatus to support the method and system, allowing the
user a feedback means to achieve the proper dosing rates per a
given area to be treated.
2. Prior Art
Closure devices for liquid product containers are known in the art,
as are devices for controlling the dispensing of liquid products
from containment. The best prior art known to Applicant include:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,863,843; 4,244,494; 5,996,700; 4,971,105;
4,527,740; 5,007,588; 4,811,900; 4,508,272; 4,901,923; 5,375,769;
6,471,141; 6,435,773; 5,388,767; 4,142,681; 6,012,650; 5,533,546;
5,881,955; 3,940,069; 3,929,150; 3,763,888; 3,561,680; 4,176,680;
4,883,086; 4,105,044; 4,142,545; 4,154,258; 4,197,872; 4,775,241;
5,799,688; 4,047,541; 5,039,016; 5,100,059; 5,213,265; 5,320,288;
5,372,310; 5,383,603; 6,283,385; 6,378,785; 6,578,776; 4,826,085;
5,303,853; 3,666,150; 5,213,129; 5,129,730; 2,770,501; 5,293,946;
5,085,039; 2,988,139; 4,971,105; 3,863,843; 372,503; and, RE29,405.
Such devices fail to provide the unique combination of features and
advantages for failsafe closure and controlled dispensing of liquid
materials to the degree provided by the present invention.
Numerous concentrated liquid products are now manufactured and sold
in a retail environment in ready-to-use packaged containers
(including bottles). Many are capped with sprayer type dispensing
mechanisms configured for attachment to the end of a hose. Such
sprayer type mechanisms serve to dilute the concentrated liquid
product as it is dispensed, by an appropriate mixture ratio with
the pressurized stream of water emerging from the hose. They serve
also to expel the diluted mixture for appropriate application.
Examples of uses widely found for this type of storage and
dispensing of liquid products include lawn or garden care and
weed/pest control, automobile cleaning, structural siding material
cleaning, and so on.
These are relatively simple to use, however the application rate is
often difficult to calculate and harder to understand depending on
the actual flow rates encountered. Variations in water supply
pressures result in variations in flow rates, different hose
configurations and attachments vary the flow rates, elevation
changes will result in a variation in flow rates. Hence, any
instruction to a use based on flow rates--(apply 10 gallons of
diluted product to 100 square feet of lawn) is nearly impossible
for the homeowner to follow. So, homeowners do the next best thing,
they guess and apply a bit more to make sure--resulting in over
usage of possible harmful chemicals.
Hence, there remains a need for a system and method to allow the
user to apply a certain known volume of the chemical to an
estimated area of surface to be treated--independent of how much
water is used to deliver the chemical onto the surface. Thereby
freeing the user to simply deliver the correct volume of chemical
(at some flow rate and dilution ratio determined by the available
water source and available plumbing) to the estimated given area
without the need to understand the flow rate or the time required
or to calculate the ratio or total number of gallon delivered. This
results in more efficient use of the chemical liquid material, more
cost effective use of the product, reliability in results from the
use of the liquid material and less chance of over usage and excess
runoff polluting the water table and waterways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus, system and method for controlled dosing and dispensing
of a liquid material which enables the end-user to achieve the
correct rate of application.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus, system and method which provides an intuitive visual
feedback feature to impart application rate information to the
end-user as the liquid material is being dispensed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system
and method for controlled dosing and dispensing of the liquid
material which can be used by a user without measuring the liquid
material, thereby protecting the user from coming into physical
contact with the concentrated liquid material.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus to support the system and method that can be produced in
a cost effective manner and that will be durable enough to satisfy
the dosing and dispensing requirements for dispensing the entire
contents of the affixed source container.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present
invention in a system and method for controlled dosing and
dispensing of a predetermined liquid material from a source
container. The system generally comprises a housing for receiving a
pressurized fluid stream, a measuring container for holding the
volume of liquid material to be dispensed and a selectively
operable valve assembly disposed in a flow path defined therein.
The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and an intermediate
portion extending therebetween, which is formed with an admission
port for admitting the predetermined liquid material, a sight glass
style containment vessel, a flow control valve and a function
selection valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is
disposed between the housing's inlet and outlet, and may be
selectively operated to alternatively permit or to stop the flow of
the pressurized fluid through the housing. The function selection
valve assembly is disposed between the housings inlet and outlet,
and may be selectively operated to choose one of at least four
functions available to the user.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, various
embodiments incorporate a method for selectively and accurately
dosing and dispensing a predetermined liquid material which
generally comprises among its combination of steps that of
establishing a first source containing the predetermined liquid
material and establishing a second source of a pressurized fluid
stream. The method also includes the steps of attaching a housing
to the first and second sources for receiving the pressurized fluid
stream and controlling said pressurized fluid stream with said flow
control valve means. The housing defines an admission port for
selectively admitting the predetermined liquid material
therethrough, as well as a flow path for the pressurized fluid
stream and the sight glass style containment vessel. The method
further includes the step of selectively operating a function
selection valve assembly disposed in the housing's flow path, the
function selection valve assembly being selectively operated to
choose one of a plurality of selectable four possible functions,
such as: clean, rinse, fill and dispense. When the pressurized
fluid stream is directed into the flow path, the function selection
valve assembly creates a low pressure condition and directs a
portion of the pressurized fluid stream to provide means to
accomplish each of the four functions. The method also includes the
steps of filling the sight glass using the fill function and then
dispensing from the sight glass, mixing with the fluid stream to
dilute the liquid material and then to dispense the mixture onto a
predetermined area of a surface to be treated. The method includes
visual use of the sight glass as a feedback mechanism to the user
for knowledge about the quantity of liquid material dispensed or
available to be dispensed to the predetermined area of surface to
be treated. Further, the method includes the use of the clean
function to provide a rinse and flush operation to prepare the
apparatus for storage until the next use is required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective exterior view of one embodiment of a
system formed in accordance with the present invention, with the
selection control set to the CLEAN position and the flow control in
an OFF or no flow configuration;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective sectional view corresponding to the
embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective exploded view of the embodiment shown
in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective exploded sectional view corresponding
to the embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a font view corresponding to the embodiments as
illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a front sectional view corresponding to the embodiments
as illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross sectional view as taken from the
embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross sectional view corresponding to the
embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a front view corresponding to the embodiments as
illustrated in FIG. 5, except the flow control valve is shown in
the ON or flow enabled condition;
FIG. 10 is a front sectional view corresponding to the embodiments
as illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross sectional view corresponding to the
embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12a is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, as set
to the CLEAN setting;
FIG. 12b is a top sectional view of the embodiment as shown in FIG.
12a, highlighting the alignment of the flow ports relative to the
selection indicia.
FIG. 13 is a front perspective exterior view of one embodiment of a
system formed in accordance with the present invention, with the
selection control set to the RINSE position and the flow control in
an OFF or no flow configuration;
FIG. 14a is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 13, as
set to the RINSE setting;
FIG. 14b is a top sectional view of the embodiment as shown in FIG.
14a, highlighting the alignment of the flow ports relative to the
selection indicia.
FIG. 15 is a front perspective exterior view of one embodiment of a
system formed in accordance with the present invention, with the
selection control set to the FILL position and the flow control in
an OFF or no flow configuration;
FIG. 16a is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, as set
to the FILL setting;
FIG. 16b is a top sectional view of the embodiment as shown in FIG.
16a, highlighting the alignment of the flow ports relative to the
selection indicia.
FIG. 17 is a front perspective exterior view of one embodiment of a
system formed in accordance with the present invention, with the
selection control set to the DISPENSE position and the flow control
in an OFF or no flow configuration;
FIG. 18a is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 17, as
set to the DISPENSE setting;
FIG. 18b is a top sectional view of the embodiment as shown in FIG.
18a, highlighting the alignment of the flow ports relative to the
selection indicia.
FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the sight glass
container and selection control valve sub-assembly, set to the
CLEAN setting;
FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective sectional view of the embodiment
as shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view, from a bottom perspective
of the embodiment view as shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective sectional view of the embodiment
as shown in FIG. 21;
FIG. 23a is a bottom view of the sight glass container valve and
seal surfaces as illustrated in FIG. 20;
FIG. 23b is a perspective view of the embodiment as illustrated in
FIG. 23a;
FIG. 24a is a top view of the valve plate member as illustrated in
FIG. 20;
FIG. 24b is a bottom view of the valve plate member as illustrated
in FIG. 24a;
FIG. 24c is a slightly rotated perspective view of the valve plate
member showing the relationship between the features on the top and
the bottom of this part as shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 25a is a top view of the fluid housing member as illustrated
in FIG. 20;
FIG. 25b is a bottom view of the fluid housing member as
illustrated in FIG. 24a;
FIG. 25c is a slightly rotated perspective view of the fluid
housing member showing the relationship between the features on the
top and the bottom of this part as shown in FIG. 25a;
FIG. 25d is a slightly rotated perspective view of the fluid
housing member showing the relationship between the features on the
top and the bottom of this part as shown in FIG. 25b;
FIG. 26 is a front partial sectional view illustrating just the
sight glass container and the selection valve as they are assembled
to the housing, corresponding to the embodiment as shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 27 is a perspective sectional view of the partial embodiment
as shown in FIG. 26;
FIG. 28a is a partial front view of the sight glass container and
selection valve assembly, configured as set to the CLEAN
selection;
FIG. 28b is a section view, taken from FIG. 28a, showing the
relationship of the valve features on the sight glass bottom
surface to the valve features on the valve plate top surface;
FIG. 29a is a partial front view of the sight glass container and
selection valve assembly, configured as set to the RINSE
selection;
FIG. 29b is a section view, taken from FIG. 29a, showing the
relationship of the valve features on the sight glass bottom
surface to the valve features on the valve plate top surface;
FIG. 30a is a partial front view of the sight glass container and
selection valve assembly, configured as set to the FILL
selection;
FIG. 30b is a section view, taken from FIG. 30a, showing the
relationship of the valve features on the sight glass bottom
surface to the valve features on the valve plate top surface;
FIG. 31a is a partial front view of the sight glass container and
selection valve assembly, configured as set to the DISPENSE
selection; and,
FIG. 31b is a section view, taken from FIG. 31a, showing the
relationship of the valve features on the sight glass bottom
surface to the valve features on the valve plate top surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In overall operation, the controlled accurate dosing and dispensing
system of the present invention serves to control the safe rate of
application of liquid materials, which may be potentially
hazardous. It safeguards against the accidental or uneducated
overdosing or over application of the liquid material by operably
coupling to the liquid material's source a pre-dispensing measuring
sight glass container and valve assembly which is properly filled
with liquid material from the source container for properly
segregating just that portion of the liquid material to be
dispensed from the apparatus. This pre-dispensing measuring sight
"glass" container (which may or may not actually be formed of a
glass material per se) and valve assembly is situated for easy
viewing by the user and is suitably marked with volumetric
graduations, such that the user can understand the total volume of
concentrated liquid material delivered or yet to be delivered. This
dosing and dispensing system is used in conjunction with an overall
process for treating a given area of surface, whereby given a
standard area to be covered by a certain volume of the concentrated
liquid material the user determines the area then fills the
pre-dispensing measuring sight glass container, proceeding
thereafter to dilute and apply the liquid material to the
predetermined area. Once the contents of the pre-dispensing
measuring sight glass container are completely exhausted,
distributed over the predetermined area, the correct application
rate would have been accomplished, without regard to the total
volume of water used. Hence, the user achieves the correct
application rate without calculating time or water volume.
In many applications, a pressurized flow of water or other fluid is
necessary in any event at the time of the liquid material's
dilution, dispensing and use. In typical lawn and garden
applications, for instance, the contained liquid material may be a
highly concentrated fertilizer, insecticide, weed killer, or other
such chemical formulation requiring a stream of water for dilution
and/or transport. In the present invention this availability of
pressurized water is utilized to provide a number of different
functions. First, the flow of water can be used in conjunction with
a venturi to create a lower than atmospheric pressure condition in
the pre-dispensing measurement sight glass container and when
selectively positioned by the user this low pressure condition can
be used to fill the pre-dispensing measurement sight glass
container with liquid material from the source container. Stopping
the flow of water during this filling operation stops the pressure
differential thereby affording the user a means for filling the
pre-dispensing measurement sight glass container with a degree of
accuracy. Second, the pressurized water is used to again in
conjunction with a venturi create a lower than atmospheric pressure
condition in the venturi mixing chamber When selectively positioned
by the user this low pressure condition can be used to withdraw
liquid material from the pre-dispensing measurement sight glass
container and introduce it into the flowing water stream to dilute
the liquid material and then to dispense it through the nozzle,
onto the surface to be treated. Third, the pressurized water can be
selectively flowed through the venturi without utilizing the
resulting lower than atmospheric condition for anything and simply
provide a stream of pure water out through the nozzle onto the
surface to be treated for pre-wetting a surface, rinsing the
surface and the like. Fourth, since the concentrated liquid product
might have particulate matter in suspension or might contain other
chemicals that may form deposits potentially causing performance
problems with the dispenser, the pressurized water can be used,
upon selection by the user to fill the pre-dispensing measuring
sight glass container with water and simultaneously withdraw the
contents of the pre-dispensing measuring sight glass container in
an effort to clean the residue after use; effectively a flushing
cleaning operation. The user selection device and valves associated
therewith are arranged in such a manner that liquid product cannot
be drawn from the source container into the dispensed stream; only
liquid product from within the pre-dispensing measuring sight glass
container can be introduced into the stream of water for dilution
and dispensing through the nozzle and onto the surfaces to be
treated. In this manner the user can readily know and understand
the portion of liquid material dispensed relative to the
predetermined area treated, without regard to total volume of
mixture dispensed or flow rate of the mixture or the time of the
application.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-31, there is shown one exemplary
embodiment of a dosing and dispensing system 1000 for the accurate
dosing and dispensing of a liquid material from its container or
other storage source. In the disclosed embodiment, the system is of
the type which invokes an aspiration-based technique (exploiting a
Venturi effect or the like) to draw the liquid material from its
container for pre-measuring, mixing and delivery to the targeted
surface area, organism or material. This is but one example of
numerous embodiments in which the accurate dosing and dispensing
system 1000 may be realized in accordance with the present
invention.
In the illustrative embodiment shown, system 1000 is formed as a
sprayer attachment of a type typically fitted to the end of a
garden hose, which expels with the fluid stream supplied by the
hose a liquid material drawn from an attached holding container 10.
As such, system 1000 generally comprises a housing 200 preferably
having a hose coupling 20 connected at its inlet 210, a spray
nozzle 40 connected at its outlet 250, a rotatable threaded
container connector 60 connected at an midsection bottom portion
240, a fluid flow control valve 80 assembled within housing
midsection 220, and a sight-glass style container 300 assembled
within housing midsection top portion 230. An intermediate portion
240 of the housing 200 is formed with a coupling structure 242
which surrounds and extends from an admission port 244. An adapter
60 is preferably provided at a neck portion of the coupling
structure 242 to facilitate attachment of, for example, a
bottle-like container 10 supplying the given liquid material.
During use, when selected for filling the sight glass container 300
the liquid material is drawn through the admission port 244 via the
suction tube 12 extending to the bottommost surfaces of container
10 and into the internal function selection valve assembly 400 for
directing the flow to the proper port for filling the sight glass
container 300.
Devices such as the hose washer gasket 22, the back-flow prevention
device 24 and spray nozzle 40 are shown in the FIGS. for
illustrative purposes only, as they are not important to the
present invention. The structure and function of such devices are
well known to those skilled in the art, are not further described
herein. Moreover, in the interest of brevity and clarity, they are
not necessarily shown in the FIGS. in precise configurational
detail.
System 1000 provides the user with multiple control means, first a
fluid flow control to either allow fluid flow through the device or
to prevent or stop fluid flow through the device, and second a
rotatable function selection control to allow the user to 1) fill
the sight glass container with liquid material from the source
container "FILL"; or, 2) flow fluid from the pressurized source
fluid only through the device "RINSE", or 3) dispense liquid
material from the sight glass container in a diluted form mixed
with the fluid from the pressurized source fluid "DISPENSE" and 4)
fill the sight glass container with fluid from the pressurized
fluid source and simultaneously dispensing from the sight glass
container for rinsing or cleaning the sight glass interior after
use with the liquid material "CLEAN". FIGS. 1 through 12 show the
sight glass rotated to the "CLEAN" position; FIGS. 13 and 14 show
the sight glass rotated to the "RINSE" position; FIGS. 15 and 16
show the sight glass rotated to the "FILL" position; and, FIGS. 17
and 18 show the sight glass rotated to the "DISPENSE" position.
System 1000 includes fluid flow control valve 80 and an internal
function selection valve mechanism 400, both disposed within the
housing's intermediate portions 220 and 230 respectively. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, the flow control valve 80 serves the
general function of selectively admitting or blocking a pressurized
fluid stream received through the inlet 210 in accordance with one
of numerous configurations. The internal function selection valve
mechanism 400 is coupled to and actuated by sight glass container
300. A venturi tube component 500 is positioned within the internal
function selection valve 400 such that the low pressure condition
(vacuum) generated at the venturi can be placed in fluid
communication with functional ports as needed by the selection
valve to provide the function selected. Hence, upon selection by
the user via rotation of the sight glass container 300, the
internal function selection valve mechanism 400 provides selective
communication with the low pressure (vacuum) condition, generated
by the flow of fluid through the venturi tube 500 to the port(s)
selected and simultaneously directs the flow of liquid material
acted upon by the vacuum to the selected port(s) within the
internal function selection valve 400. In some selected instances
the internal function selection valve 400 will also direct a
portion of the pressurized fluid within venturi tube 500 through
selected ports to provide a cleaning function for rinsing the
interior of the sight glass container 300.
Flow control valve 80 comprises a rotatable drum element 82
disposed within housing section 220, a resilient face seal member
84 and two o-ring seals 86a and 86b disposed at either end of the
drum element 82 to contain the pressurized fluid in all operating
conditions. Handle member 90 is connected to rotating drum element
82 to transmit torque as force is applied to handle 90 by the user
in either direction. Suitable end of stroke stop features are used
to provide a high force feedback to the user so they know that the
handle has traveled to the correct and final position. FIGS. 1
through 8 all show this flow control valve in the closed, or
blocking flow position; FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 all show the flow
control valve in the open or permitting flow position. Grooves 88
positioned on the outer periphery of rotatable drum element 82
permit the flow of pressurized fluid around the drum perimeter and
into the receiving end 510 of the venturi tube 500. These grooves
88 can be configured with the correct cross-sectional area required
to permit a desired rate of flow of the pressurized fluid.
Referring to FIGS. 12 through 23, the sight glass container 300
includes a substantially cylindrical clear main housing 302 with an
integrally formed bottom 304 through which there is at least one
access port 306 for communication with the selection valve portion
400. The top of the sight glass container is closed by a lid member
320 permanently affixed to the sight glass housing 302 providing a
pressure tight seal. A conduit member 310 is integrally formed as
part of the sight glass housing 302 and is situated to run between
the sealed underside of the top member 320 and the selection valve
portion 400 located just beneath the formed bottom 304 of the sight
glass housing 302. This conduit 310 provides fluid communication
between the selection valve portion 400 and the interior chamber of
the sight glass container via the top inside surface of the sight
glass container. The exterior surface of this sight glass container
has formed or printed on it graduation lines 312 indicating the
volume inside the container at each line. These graduations are
provided to give volumetric feedback to the user during filling and
dispensing operations. The lid member 320 has formed or printed on
it an indicator 322 showing the user which selection is selected.
The underside of the lid member 320 has a recessed area 324
adjacent to the conduit feature 310 to allow fluid communication
between the interior of the sight glass container 300 and the
conduit 310. In certain embodiments a float style check valve might
be used to guard against overfilling the sight glass container with
liquid material from the source container. This float style check
and shut-off valve is a common device and is known in the art,
hence it is not discussed in further detail herein. This sight
glass container, formed bottom, lid and conduit are each preferably
formed of a rigid clear plastic material, such that they exhibit
the strength required for the internal fluid pressures encountered,
they are chemically compatible with the fluids and liquid materials
to be diluted and dispensed, and such that the user can clearly see
the contents within the sight glass container.
Preferably located beneath the sight glass container 300 and
coupled to the body 200 by the assembly of the venturi tube 500
through the sight glass retainer 340 is the selection valve portion
400. Referring to FIGS. 19 through 27, this valve assembly
preferably includes several main parts. In order, from the top
working downward in the illustration embodiment, the bottom surface
of the sight glass container forms the first layer of the valve
assembly, the valve plate 420 is next, its top surfaces mating and
sealing with the bottom surfaces of the sight glass container 314
and 316 respectively. The fluid housing 460 is next, situated
beneath the valve plate 420 and providing a pressure tight seal
with features on the bottom surface of valve plate 420,
specifically features 466, 468, 470, 472 and 474 situated on the
top surface of fluid housing 460 all mate with and provide a
pressure tight seal to corresponding features on the bottom surface
of the valve plate 420. A transverse cylindrical feature 480 to 482
is disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of fluid housing
460 to receive the venturi tube 500. The bottom surfaces of fluid
housing 460 are situated to fit and mate in a sealed manner with
features within the lower portion 240 of the housing 200. Conduits
484 and 486 on the fluid housing mate and seal with ports 244 and
246 as part of housing portion 240 for the conveyance of the liquid
material and for venting of the container when required as per the
selection of the user. Venturi tube 500 is situated concentric to
the transverse feature on the fluid housing 460. External features
on the venturi tube 500 form sealed chambers 518, 526, 504 and 546
around the venturi tube 500 and within the fluid housing 460. The
interior of the venturi tube is shaped to provide the velocity
profile required to achieve the lower than atmospheric pressure
condition desired. Fluid from the pressurized source, typically
water, enters the venturi tube at portion 510 upon exiting the flow
control valve 80, the fluid stream is then constricted through
section 520 causing a corresponding increase in the fluid velocity,
thereby dropping the stream pressure, the fluid then exits the
constricted zone and enters a larger cross-sectional area 530
whereupon the fluid pressure is well below atmospheric pressure, it
is here that port 506 to place this low pressure condition is fluid
communication with the valve portion 400 through the annular
chamber 526 around the exterior of the venturi tube, passing
further downstream from the venturi the fluid enters the slightly
diverging area 540 where the fluid makes intimate contact with the
inner walls to seal off the venturi section 530 from the atmosphere
downstream and the fluid stream finally exits the venturi at
portion 550 and enters the nozzle area. The exit from the venturi
tube is kept free of flow disturbances by the clean and smooth
surfaces throughout the flow path from 510 to 550, at the exit a
feature 552 is arranged to allow a clean fluid transition and to
prevent fluid spray or atomization at the exit transition. In the
assembly of the valve portion 400 and the sight glass container 300
to the housing 200, venturi tube 500 provides the fastening means.
The sight glass retainer 340 is telescopically slid over the sight
glass container 300 and the selection valve portion 400 and then
into the housing portion 230; once seated in the housing the
venturi tube 500 is inserted from the nozzle end of the housing 250
and is telescopically slid into the bore on the fluid housing until
end feature 502 engages through sight glass retainer bore 344 and
into the housing bore 224 as a press fit, simultaneously
cylindrical feature 554 on the venturi tube enters the sight glass
retainer 340 at bore 342 and cylindrical feature 556 press fits
into housing bore 252 to lock the venturi tube 500 into housing 200
and likewise affix the selection valve portion 400, sight glass
container 300 and the sight glass retainer 340 into the housing
200. Sight glass container 300 is free to rotate within the sight
glass retainer 340 however valve plate 320 is fixed to non-rotating
fluid housing 360. Flange member 330 on the sight glass container
300 rides under flange step 346 on the sight glass retainer 340
piece applying enough force to help the bottom surfaces 314 and 316
of sight glass container 300 to seal against the corresponding top
surfaces of the valve plate 420. In practice, valve plate 420 may
be manufactured from a material slightly less hard than the
corresponding rotating and mating surfaces 314 and 316, so that the
face seal is maintained. Likewise, producing the valve plate from a
softer material will facilitate the press fit seals to the fluid
housing 460 at the manifold features 438, 440 and 442.
In operation low pressure (vacuum) is generated at the venturi
throat 530, which is in fluid communication through port 506 with
chamber 526, which is in fluid communication through port 466 and
426 with manifold feature 422. Manifold feature 422 then normally
remains at the same pressure state as the venturi throat portion
530, that is, at atmospheric pressure when there is no fluid
flowing and at lower than atmospheric (or vacuum) when fluid is
flowing. Manifold feature 422 also is in fluid communication
through port 424 into manifold feature 438 and to port 430.
In operation, fluid pressure from the pressurized stream, and
because of the constriction in portion 520 of the venturi tube 500,
cause pressurized fluid to flow through port 508 and into the
annular chamber 518 which is in fluid communication with ports 468
and 428. Hence, port 428 remains at the same pressure state as
portion 520 in the venturi manifold, as atmospheric pressure when
no fluid is flowing and at a pressure near to the fluid stream
pressure at 520 when fluid is flowing.
The liquid material in the source container 10 is available for
filling the sight glass container 300 through the suction tube 12
connected to port 244 on the housing which is in sealed fluid
communication through port 484 and annular chamber 504 and through
port 464 and manifold feature 442 supplying port 436. Hence when
selected and vacuum is available in the sight glass container 300,
liquid material can flow from the source container through the
suction tube 12 through ports 244 and 484 into annular chamber 504
and through port 464 into manifold feature 442 and through port 436
into the sight glass container 300. Simultaneously, atmospheric air
can enter the source container to provide the pressure required to
cause the flow of the liquid material, and vent port 246 is in
fluid communication through port 486 and annular chamber 546 into
port 462 to manifold feature 440 connecting to port 434. Port 432
provides a path to the atmosphere and, when selected, port 432 is
connected to port 434 by means of features 318 and 308 on the sight
glass container bottom surface 314. Hence, when selected, port 432
provides a path to vent the container 10 to atmosphere.
In summary, when CLEAN is selected and fluid is flowing, port 508
supplies pressurized fluid through annular chamber 518, port 468
and 428 into portion 308 and through conduit 310 into the sight
glass container, while simultaneously port 306 is aligned with
manifold feature 422 which is at a lower than atmospheric pressure
state and the fluid entering the sight glass container is then
suctioned out of port 306 through manifold 422, port 426, into
annular chamber 526, through port 506 and introduced into the fluid
stream at portion 530 of the venturi tube 500, whereby it travels
with the fluid stream through the venturi tube, into the nozzle
portion 40 and is expelled onto the surface to be treated.
In summary, when RINSE is selected and fluid is flowing, ports 306
and 308 are blocked by the valve plate 420 allowing no flow into or
out of the sight glass container 300. Fluid flowing through venturi
tube 500 produces the lower than atmospheric pressure condition
which is not used since the flow ports are all blocked.
In summary, when FILL is selected and fluid is flowing, port 430 is
aligned with portion 308 of conduit 310 allowing vacuum to act on
the interior of the sigh glass container, and port 306 is aligned
with port 436 providing fluid communication with the source
container 10, simultaneously feature 318 provides fluid
communication between port 434 and atmospheric vent port 432,
thereby providing atmospheric venting to the source container
holding the liquid material. Given atmospheric pressure available
within the source container 10 and given vacuum condition in the
sight glass container 300, liquid material then flows from the
source container into the sight glass container.
In summary, when DISPENSE is selected and fluid is flowing, port
306 is aligned with manifold feature 422 providing suction and a
flow path to the venturi tube port 506, wherein the liquid material
within the sight glass container 300 can be introduced into the
flowing fluid stream mixed and dispensed through the nozzle portion
40 and onto the surfaces to be treated. Ports 426 or 466 may be
used as a throttle by choosing a port diameter to restrict the flow
of the liquid material prior to being introduced into the flowing
fluid stream at the venturi portion 530; the choice of a throttle
diameter for either port 426 or 466 in relation to the rate of
fluid flow through the constricted portion of the venturi tube 520
determines the dilution ratio of the liquid material into the
fluid. This ratio may be set by design to allow the user enough
time to dispense the required portion of the liquid material onto
the desired surface area to be treated.
The housing 200 and other main structural parts including the sight
glass container 300, the container connector 60 and the hose
connector 20 are preferably formed of hard plastic or other
suitable material known in the art of sufficient strength,
rigidity, and durability to withstand the conditions typically
encountered in the intended application. In applications posing
particularly harsh conditions, considerations such as
anti-corrosion, thermal expansion, and the like may be significant
factors determining the choice of materials for various portions of
system 1000. The present invention is not limited to a particular
choice of materials; as such choice will depend on the particular
requirements of the intended application.
Turning now more closely to the structure for coupling a container
or other source of the liquid material (highly concentrated lawn
treatment chemical, for instance), a suction tubing 12 positioned
with an upper end engaging a nipple 244 and a lower end extending
to the bottom of the given container (not shown). If the container
is of the type having a threaded opening, it may be threadedly
engaged with the adapter 60 for suspension therefrom. Within the
adapter 60, a seal 62 such as a flattened O-ring or washer is
preferably provided at the sprayer-container interface to prevent
air and liquid material leakage. Other attachments such as snap-on,
lock-in-key, dovetail, or other such coupling mechanisms known in
the art may be alternatively employed.
Various alternative embodiments may be realized in accordance with
the present invention. In certain alternative embodiments, for
example, the spray nozzle 40 may be replaced by another downstream
flow control valve device such as an extension wand or other
fluid-conducting attachment coupled to the outlet 250. In certain
other exemplary embodiments, an optional detent ball mechanism or
other such retaining device may be incorporated in the selection
control valve 400, as actuated by sight glass container 300 to give
tactile feedback when the sight glass container is optimally
positioned for a particular function. Such a detent ball mechanism
may be seated with a biased ball partially received within a recess
formed in the valve plate 420 accommodating space within which the
rotary flange on the sight glass container 300 is seated. One or
more corresponding detent recesses may then be formed in the
opposing surface of the rotary flange member of the sight glass
container 300. In certain other exemplary embodiments, other
methods for the transfer of the liquid material from the source
container to the sight glass container may be employed; such as
rotating the sight glass container to the FILL position and simply
squeezing the source container to force fluid through the system
and into the container, or providing a positive displacement style
pump in the system such that the user pushes the pump repeatedly to
fill the sight glass container. These alternate FILL methods can
accomplish the task of filling the sight glass container without
the use of the pressurized fluid flow.
The method of treating a surface area with a concentrated liquid
material comprises the steps of 1) establishing the correct volume
of liquid material to apply to a given area by reading the
instructions given on the source container for the liquid material;
2) stepping off or otherwise measuring the areas to be treated and
placing markers (stones, empty cans, a stake, or other suitable
marker) to identify the known areas to be treated (say in 100
square foot zones); 3) connecting the sprayer apparatus 1000 to a
garden hose or other suitable source of pressurized fluid; 4)
selecting FILL on the selection indicator and rotating the sight
glass container to the FILL position; 5) actuating the flow control
valve 80 and watching the sight glass container to see the liquid
material fill the sight glass container; 6) once the determined
amount of liquid material is in the sight glass container actuating
the flow control valve to stop the flow of fluid and stop the
filling of the sight glass container; 7) rotating the sight glass
container to the DISPENSE position; 8) actuating the flow control
valve to initiate the flow of fluid to dilute and dispense the
liquid material in the sight glass container, pointing the sprayer
into the area to be treated and spraying the area with a repetitive
sweeping motion to evenly distribute the spray over the
area--watching the sigh glass and spraying until all of the liquid
material in the sight glass container is consumed; 9) rotating the
sight glass container to the FILL position and refilling for the
next area to be treated; 10) and so on until all of the areas to be
treated have been sprayed; 11) when finished for this treatment
session, rotating the sight glass container to the CLEAN position
and actuating the flow control to initiate the flow of fluid
through the device, to fill and rinse the sight glass container
prior to storage; 12) in addition, should the user determine that
they wish to flow just the fluid from the pressurized source and
not add any liquid material, they would rotate the sight glass
container to the RINSE position, actuate the flow control valve and
spray non-liquid material containing fluid onto whatever surfaces
desired.
Although this invention has been described in connection with
specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that
various modifications other than those discussed above may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for
those specifically shown and described, certain features may be
used independently of other features, and in certain cases,
particular combinations of method steps may be reversed or
interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *